Needless to say, I'm pi$$ed off right now.
Submitted my 1979 RX-7 (stock, no mods) to smog test.
Last time I did this I passed.
I had the car tuned, engine hot, oil changed, some STP in the tank - everything passed, but the old man testing the car (at test-only center) said the ignition timing was off.

He said the California state "Bible" he was carrying stated that a 1979 Mazda RX7 must have an ignition timing of 750 rpms.

But he measured 1,640 with the strobe.

How is that freaking possible? At idle my tac indicates way below 1000 rpms, at around 700ish?

I'm not a mechanic, so I'm taking it to a shop to check the timing. But I'm frustrated.

I'm probably more mad that it took the guy over an hour to figure out how to hook up the car. He was looking at the engine like it was a horse or something.

 

It will cost more to fix it. So let me know when it will be available for my free towign service.

 

My guess: He hooked the timing light up wrong.

By measuring directly off either of the coils you will read twice the rpm.

1640/2=820
He should measure off one of the leads going from the distributor to spark plugs.

 

I don't want to give this baby up! I love it too much.

 

mazda plus maid my 83 12a pass for 80.00 he had a somg only shop next door

 

Wish Harold Brown at Mazda Plus would open up a shop in Orange County!
Glad you passed OK.

 

Thanks Frode. That makes sense. I think he did hook something up wrong. He had to ask a buddy for help too during the emissions testing.

Tak!

 

I had my RX7 retested today at another test only smog center.
Passed with flying colors having made zero repairs!!!

The old dolt at the first test only smog center ($37.00 charge) didn't realize that there were two connections to test for the ignition timing, which at idle must indicate 750 rpm + or - 25 rpm.

Mine was spot on.

The second testing cost me $60.00, but at least I'm free! The guy told me my car was way below Cal's max emissions. (So maybe I CAN make some exhaust mods someday?)

And with all of that another 1st gen RX7 is released into the wild - free to prowl the streets and freeways of California!

I should have known there'd be a problem at the first center when the geezer couldn't open up the hood right and then didn't know where the spark plugs were. Sheesh!
Doesn't the state of California certify these people!!!???

 

I had my 1979 RX7 retested today at another test only smog center.
Passed with flying colors having made zero repairs!!!

The old dolt at the first test only smog center ($37.00 charge) didn't realize that there were two connections to test for the ignition timing, which at idle must indicate 750 rpm + or - 25 rpm.

Mine was spot on.

The second testing cost me $60.00, but at least I'm free! The guy told me my car was way below Cal's max emissions. (So maybe I CAN make some exhaust mods someday?)

And with all of that another 1st gen RX7 is released into the wild - free to prowl the streets and freeways of California!

I should have known there'd be a problem at the first center when the geezer couldn't open up the hood right and then didn't know where the spark plugs were. Sheesh!
Doesn't the state of California certify these people!!!???